Scots Poems of Folk Festivity

An anthology of the most important Christis Kirk poems, many of which
are out of print or very hard to come by, is long overdue. This volume is the
first attempt to bring together the more important poems of the genre, named
after one of its earliest examples, ‘Christis Kirk on the Grene’.

The twenty poems included, ranging from the fifteenth century up to the
climactic work of Robert Burns, are presented in slightly modernised texts,
with on-the-page glosses for ease of understanding, and with full introductions
and notes. Each poem describes, not without satirical intent, a festive
occasion involving many people engaged in all kinds of revelry, wooing,
drunkenness, horseplay, ribaldry, brawling and bungling. The loose narrative,
based on the actions of rapidly-sketched characters, is swift-paced and full of
robust movement and details.

These poems are not however folk poetry but the work of highly
sophisticated literary artists, writing in a verse form which is both
traditional and complex. The poems in this book are in themselves a delight to
read but they also represent a vital, major strand in the history of Scots
poetry.

Allan H MacLaine, of the University of Rhode Island, is the author of
many books and articles on Scottish literature, including standard studies of
Allan Ramsay and Robert Fergusson. His earlier work on the Christis Kirk
tradition makes him the ideal editor of these poems, to which he brings a
special knowledge and enthusiasm.

CONTENTSPreface
Introduction
A Note on the Texts

Peblis to the Play, c. 1430–50 (Anon.)

Christis Kirk on the Grene, c. 1490–1510 (Anon.)

The Justis Betwix the Talyeour and the Soutar, c. 1500 (William Dunbar)

Sym and his Bruder, c. 1530 (Anon.)

The Justing Betwix James Watsoun and Jhone Barbour, c. 1539 (Sir David Lyndsay)

The Justing and Debate up at the Drum Betwix William Adamsone and Johine Sym,
c. 1560 (Alexander Scott)